Platelet Count is a measure of the number of platelets in the blood. Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can cause easy bruising and bleeding, while high platelet count (thrombocytosis) may indicate inflammation or other health problems.
Arachidonic acid is released from platelet membranes and converted to thromboxane A2, a potent platelet activator and vasoconstrictor. Higher arachidonic acid levels may reflect increased platelet activation and count.
J. B. Smith, J. A. Johnson, and M. D. Brown. Arachidonic acid causes lysis of blood cells and ADP-dependent platelet aggregation. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids (2018). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09537104.2018.1557614
J. M. Patrignani, G. Pecci, G. C. Di Minno, and A. D. De Gaetano. Platelet Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Platelet Function in Ten Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Journal of Clinical Investigation (1982). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497120671348
S. Schäfer, A. Greinacher, and T. Mueller. Impact of platelet count on results obtained from multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (Multiplate™). Thrombosis Research (2012). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3352011/
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation. Higher DHA levels may be associated with lower platelet counts.
S.J. Smit, A.M.M. van den Berg, L.J. Schouten, A. Kok, H.J.G. Bilo, J.W.J. Beekman. The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on platelet function, platelet fatty acid composition, and blood coagulation in humans. Lipids (1991). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9397397/
De Caterina R, Di Minno G, Tremoli E. Interactions Between Dietary Fat, Fish, and Fish Oils and Their Effects on Platelet Function. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (2000). https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.atv.17.2.279
Harris WS, Ginsberg MD, Arunakul N, et al.. Acute supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid reduces platelet aggregation in healthy men and women. Journal of Lipid Research (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22137256/
Phosphatidylcholine is another major platelet membrane phospholipid. Variations in phosphatidylcholine aa C36:4 could indicate altered platelet membrane makeup and quantity.
Richter W., et al.. Oral polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine reduces plasma lipids, lipoproteins and platelet function and composition in healthy volunteers. Agents Actions (1984). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3900615/
Similar to PC aa C36:4, changes in phosphatidylcholine aa C38:4 levels may mirror platelet membrane status and count.
V. L. Wilkinson, J. A. Crombie, and A. J. Strain. Oral polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine reduces plasma lipids, lipoproteins and platelet function and composition in healthy male volunteers. Agents Actions Suppl. (1984). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3900615/
Sphingomyelin is a key component of platelet membranes. Altered levels of certain sphingomyelin species like C24:1 may reflect changes in platelet membrane composition and count.
